Illuminated toy



March 23, 1926. l 1,577,517

` F. P. CHANDLER j ILLUMINATED 'I oY l med oct'.- 25, 192:5 Ssneets-sheet 1 March 23 1926.

F. F'. CHANDLER ILLUMINATED TOY Filed oct. 25

, 1923 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 Match 23 1926.

F. P. CHANDLER ILLUMINATED TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 23, 1923 lPatented Mar. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS 1. CHANDLER, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS.

ILLUMINATED TOY.

Application filed October 23, 19223.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCIS P. CHAND- LER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminated- Toys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to toys and more particularly to an improvement in illuminat-ed toys designed to be drawn about over the pavement. It is a custom for children to cut various designs in the walls of a pasteboard box and paste over the inner surfaces of the walls, a sheet of colored tissue paper, place a lighted candle in the box, and draw the box about by means of a string. A toy so constructed, however, presents the disadvantage that, being oi inflammable material, it is liable to catch on lire, and the child, in endeavoring to extinguish the flame and save the toy, is liable to be burned. Likewise, even if the child is skillful in cutting out designs in the walls of such a box, the designs are more or less com- -mon place and the child soon tires of viewing them. In consideration of the foregoing, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an illuminated box of this class which may be readily constructed from sheet metal at a low cost and will be substantial and prove a continuous pleasure to the child using the same, means being provided whereby the display panels or surfaces of the box may be readily changed from time to time, thereby holding the childs attention and interest.

Briefly stated, the box embodying the invention is formed in its walls with display openings, and sheets of cloth of a suitable quality are stretched across the openings and bear, in different colors, the representation ot' different animals, objects, or scenes, and it is another important object of the invention to provide novel means whereby these'sheets may be interchanged and other sheets installed in their place.

Another object ot the invention is to so construct the box that it may embody any desired number of compartments or sections and may therefore be made more or less elaborate or reduced to simplified form, the main section of the box being so constructed as to adapt it to have fitted thereto means for supporting a second section located above and in communication with the said walls 3,

Serial N0. 670,311.

body section, the purpose being, as stated, to adapt the toy to be placed upon the market and sold either in its simplest form or accompanied by one or more supplemental compartments for use where more elaborate display is desired. In this connection the invention contemplates the provision of a toy of this class so constructed that a supply of supplemental sections may be kept on hand by the dealer so that'if one, after purchasing the toy in its simplest form, should be so well pleased as to add to the toy, it may be done by simply purchasing one of the supplemental sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of handle by which the toy may be pulled about from place to place, and a novel means for connecting the handle to the body of the toy so that while in ordi- F -nary use the handle will not become disengaged, it may nevertheless be intentionally disengaged in a moment and without the necessity of loosening any securing devices or the like. Likewise the invention contemplates the provision of a foldable handle thus a-dapting the handle to be stored in a small space as, for example, within the body or main compartment of the toy or beside the same at the exterior.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of the toy embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view therethrough; Y

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4l is a sectional perspective view illustrating one means provided for mounting the display panels or sheets in the cornpartments of the toy;

4Figure 5 is similar view illustrating a modified means for this purpose;

Figure 6 is detail sectional perspective view illustrating the structure shown in Figure et, the parts being assembled.

In order Vthat an understanding may be had of the invention, the invention will first be described in its more elaborate form and it will then be explained how it may be reduced to a much simplified from.

The toy comprises essentially a main or body section indicated in general by the numeral l. The section l is constructed of sheet metal and includes side Walls 2, end and a bottom 4, the section being open at its top except as will be hereinafter cra explained. The body 1 may be mounted in any suitable manner and preferably upon wheels 5 which, as illustrated in the drawings, are of relatively small diameter, and are mounted at the ends of front and rear axles 6, these axles being bolted or otherwise secured, as at 7, to the under side of the bot tom 4 of he body and being so arranged as to extend transversely beneath the front and rear end portions of the .said bottom 4. The body is illustrated in the drawings as of general oblong rectangular form, the side walls 2 being parallel to each other, and the front and rear end walls likewise occupying parallel planes. Each of the side walls 2 is formed with one or more display openings indicated by the numeral 8, and the end walls 3 are formed with similar openings E). Within each of the openings 8 and 9 there is stretched a display panel indicated by the numeral 10. As all of the panels are secured in place in identically the same manner, a description of one of the panels, as, for example, that one mounted in the display opening of one of the side walls 2, will suffice for all. The panel 1() is preferably of white cloth material and is therefore more or less translucent, and printed in more or less transparent pigments upon one side Of the panel, namely the outer side, is a picture, scene, or representation, as indicated by the numeral 11. The pictorial representations upon the sheets of cloth comprising the panels 10 will, of course, be of a varied character and inasmuch as the panels are removable and replaceable in a manner which will now be explained, the merchants ma carr f a larO'e variet of the aanels in stock thereby inducing the purchaser of the toy to purchase additional panels from time to time. The end marginal portions of the panels are hemmed as indicated by the numeral 12, so that sleeve-like pockets 13 are provided at the vertical end edges of the panel. Into each pocket 13 there is fitted a small rod or length of wire indicated by the numeral 14 and this rod or wire serves to stiffen the ends of the panel and to maintain the said ends straight. The sheet metal walls of the body section 1 at the opposite ends of the display opening therein are stamped or otherwise formed to provide approximately semi-cylindrical gripping and retaining flanges 15, the concave side-s of which are presented outwardly. In mounting the panels in the sight openings the stifl'ened and reinforced ends of the panels are engaged in the concavities of the gripping flanges 15 and as the panels are of a length equal to the distance between these flanges at any display opening, the panels will be maintained in a stretched and flat condition. At this point it will be evident that the flanges are more or less resilient so that whenever desired the engaged ends of the panels may be disengaged from the flanges, the rods or wires 14 removed from the pockets 13, the said rods fitted into the pockets of another panel, and the substituition of one panel for another thus effected. By reference to Figure 6 of the drawings it will be observed that the upper corner portions of the panels are engaged behind the wall of the box above, as well as below, the display opening in the wall so that the upper and lower edges of the panel will overlap the said wall of the box at the top and bottom of the said display opening therein and thus no light rays will pass from the box except through the panels.

In Figure 5 of the drawings there is illustrated a slight modification of the invention as regards the means provided for holding the panels in place within the display opening, and in this modified structure, the wall of the box is formed at the four corners of the display opening with stamped out clip fingers 16 which are designed to engage the panel at the corners thereof, the fingers being substantially semi-circular in form and serving precisely the same purpose as the flanges 15.

A socket 17 is fixed upon the upper side of the bottom 4 of the box at the center thereof, and a candle 18 may be disposed at its lower end in this socket and supported in upright position, the candle, of course, serving, as in the crude devices heretofore referred to, as a source of illumination.

The numeral 19 indicates in general a rectangular frame which is supported upon the open top of the body section 1 and comprises a body portion 20 which may be of any desired cross sectional contour and which is formed along its lower edge with a horizontally outstanding flange 21 in turn provided with a downwardly projecting flange 22. 'he flange 21 rests flat upon an inwardly projecting horizontal flange 23 extending around the periphery of the top of the body 1, and the flange 22 extends downwardly or fits over the upper portions of the side and end walls of the said body section 1, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, it being understood that the frame is merely frictionally retained in place and may be lifted out of position when desired. The frame is likewise provided along the upper edge of its body portion 20, with an upstanding vertical flange 24. The purpose of the frame 19 is to support the upper or supplemental section of the toy which is indicated in general by the numeral 25 and this section, like the section 1, comprises side walls 2G and end walls 27, the section differing from the section 1 however in that it is open at its bottom as well as at its top. The said section 25 is formed in its side and end walls with display openings QS, and panels 29 are arranged within the naamw "openings and removably supported in place ported in upright position above the said body section 1, it being understood that the rays of light from the source of illumination 13 will be disbursed through the panels 29 in the same manner as through the panels 10. The side and end walls of the supplemental section are, like the corresponding' walls of the body section 1, formed at their upper edges with inwardly projecting horizontal flanges 30 corresponding to the flanges 23.

The numeral 31 indicates in general a frame which, like the frame 19, comprises a body portion 32 having along its lower margin an outstanding flange 33 and a depending flange 34, the frame being fitted to the open top of the supplemental section 25 with the flange 33 resting upon the flange 30 and with the flange 34 extending about the said top of the section and frictionally fitting the same. Likewise the body 32 of the frame 31 is formed along its upper margin with an upstanding flange 35. The numeral 36 indicates a lid which is provided with'a depending marginal fiange 37, and

Y the lid is of dimensions to adapt it for application to the upper side of the frame 31 with the flange 37 extending about and frictionally fitting the flange 35.

At this point it will be understood that from the single source of illumination 18, light is supplied through both the main or body and the supplemental sections of the box comprising the toy so that all of the display panels are appropriately illuminated. As heretofore stated, the structure is convertible from the form herein shown and described to a much simplified form'and by reference to Figure 2 it will be evident that this may be accomplished by removing the supplemental section 25 from the frame 19 and then fitting the frame 31 onto the flanged upper side 24 of the said frame 19, the parts being so proportioned as to permit of this being done. The lid 36 will, .of course, remain assembled with the frame 31 and will then constitute a lid for the body section 1.

In order that the toy may be drawn about, a tongue 38 is secured at one end by rivets or otherwise, as indicated by the numeral 39, to the under side of the bottom 4 of the main or body section 1 and extends forwardly and upwardly and is provided near its forward end with an opening 40. The numeral 41 indicates in general a handle which is to serve the purpose stated, and this handle comprises a section 42 and a section 43. The section 42 is formed at its lower end with a helical hook 44 adapted to be engaged in the opening 4() whereby to connect the said section 42 pivotally with the tongue 38. The upper end of the section 42 is formed with an eye 45 which engages a similar eye 46 at the lower end of the section 43, and the said section 43 at its upper or forward end is formed with a hand ring 47 which may be grasped in employing the handle 41 to pull the toy about from place to place. It will be evident that by providing the helical hook 44, the handle 41 may be readily engaged with the tongue 33 and likewise readily disengaged therefrom. It will not become accidentally disengaged and yet by a simple rotation of the hook 44, it may be disengaged in the most convenient manner from the tongue 38. By connecting the sections 42 and 43 through the medium of the eyes 45 and 46, the sections are adapted to be' folded to extend beside one another and thus occupy minimum space when the handle is to be stored away.

It will be evident that the toy may be made in various sizes and may embody more than one supplemental section if found expedient, and it will likewise be understood that the toy may be made in some shape other than rectangular and that its different component parts may be differently painted or enameled and variously shaped, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An illuminated toy comprising a hollow body to be interiorly illuminated and having a display opening in its wall, a display panel comprising a sheet of translucent material provided with oppositely located marginal pockets, rods fitted into the pockets, the sheet being disposed to extend over the opening', and resilient means carried by the wall at opposite sides of the opening and embracing the pockets of the panel and rods therein and maintaining the sheet in stretched condition.

2. An illuminated toy comprising a hollow body adapted to be internally illuminated, said body comprising a lower main section and an upper auxiliary section, said main section being open at its upper end and said auxiliary section open at its upper and lower ends and adapted to be removably supported upon the open upper end of said main section, and a cover separate from said sections and adapted to be interchangeably fitted upon the open upper ends of said sections in closing relation thereto.

3. An illuminated toy comprising a hollow body adapted to be internally illuminated, said body comprising a lower main section and an upper auxiliary section, said main section being open at its upper end and said auxiliary sect-ion open at its upper and lower ends and adapted to be removably supported upon the open upper end of said main section, and a cover separate from said sections and adapted to be interchangeably litted upon the open upper ends of said sections in closing relation thereto, said cover being provided with abutment means adapted to prevent the cover from having longitudinal and transverse sliding movement out of place when in a closing position.

4. An illuminated toy comprising a hollow body adapted to be interior-ly illuminated, said body comprising a lower main section and an upper auxiliary section, said niain section being open at its upper end and said auxiliary section open at its upper and lower ends, a frame litting upon the upper end of said main section and including depending flanges engaging the walls thereof to retain said frame in place and an upstanding neck litting into the open lower end portion of said auxiliary section, and a closure for the open upper end of said auxiliary section including depending flanges adapted to engage the walls of the auxiliary section when the said auxiliary section is in place and adapted to lit about the neck of said frame and provide a closure for the upper end of said main section when the auxiliary section is removed.

5. An illuminated toy comprising a hollow body adapted to be interiorly illuminated, said body comprising a lower inain section and an upper auxiliary section, said main section being open at its upper end and said auxiliary section open at its upper and lower ends, a frame removably fitted upon the open upper end of said main section and having depending abutment means engaging the main section to retain the frame in place, the upper portion of said frame adapted to support said auxiliary section and having means adapted to engage the auxiliary section and prevent transverse movement thereof, and a cover interchangeably engageable with the upper ends ot' said frame and auxiliary section.

6. An illuminated toy comprising a hollow body adapted to be internally illuminated, said body comprising a lower main section open at its upper end and an upper auxiliary section open at its upper and lower ends, an open traine resting upon the open upper end of said main section and having a depending flange engaging the walls of the main section and an upwardly extending neck adapted to tit snugly within the open lower end of said auxiliary section, a second frame separate from said sections and adapted to be selectively disposed upon the neck of the first mentioned frame or open upper end of said auxiliary section and having a depending securing llange and upstanding neck and a cap adapted to rest upon the said second frame and provided with a depending flange for overlapping engagement with the neck thereof.

ln testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

FRANCIS P. CHANDLER. [n s] 

